College students put old crafts to new uses

Cat's out of the bag as Ali Wilson shows off the big fish drinks cabinet which won her Design Student of the Year. Photograph: Tony Marsh

TERRY MURDEN

STUDENTS graduating from an East Lothian college are leading the way in setting up their own businesses after learning some of the oldest craft skills available.

And it is not just young people who are turning the age-old art of furniture design into thriving enterprises. Some are learning new skills for a second career, including architect Ali Wilson, 47, who was named design student of the year at the Chippendale International School of Furniture and is now setting up a business in Ayrshire.

The school, near Haddington, is run by Anselm Fraser and offers incubation space for students. “The problem with running a furniture design school is that virtually nobody thinks about furniture making as a career option, largely because those who advise young people never consider it themselves,” he said.

“Good furniture is about imagination as well as craftsmanship, with age-old techniques made modern by computer design technologies.”